Hands-on Art Museum - Why can't we do this in New Mexico?

This video was shot by a former colleague of mine, Taylor Sloan. We taught at another school together last year.  He actually interviewed for, and was offered a job here at our new school, in Albuquerque.  Unfortunately, it didn't work out and he moved back to Kansas in pursuit of employment.  I hope he can come back some day, and create a video like this, to spotlight all the good we are accomplishing at the Southwest Aerospace Mathematics & Science, SAMS Charter School.  Of course, this is for entirely selfish reasons, because I happen to think this school is at the forefront of learning in the nation.

The topic of study in this video has to do with integrating arts and the Common Core. It is such a simple notion and yet has such powerful implications.

 Mr. Sloan has such a good eye for seeing things we all take for granted. 

In his book, The Alchemist, Paul Coelho wrote, "...Wherever your heart is, there is where you will find your treasure."  That is what Libraries, Museums, Schools and school buses tell me about our society.   

Marshaling those opening and closing visuals of the big yellow school buses pulling up to, and away from the library, the video beckons us enter that world of the mind where institutions gather to become more than the sum of their parts.   Like the Library, a school bus is such a powerful image; they represent our investment, as a society, into our children and our commitment to the future. 

I am so impressed with the quality of thoughts captured from the young people featured in this video. As the New Mexico Legislature convenes, let us hope they have the presence of mind and ability to see that what we are doing in Charter schools is special. Moreover, our primary objective is to foster an environment where we are building World Citizens who have been equipped with the wherewithal to meet future challenges with confidence, and a deep understanding of the far-reaching implications of well-reasoned decisions based on the common good of this planet and all creatures which inhabit it.

There was a statement made by the artist/photographer, Terry Evans who said something about art that accurately reflects what it takes to accomplish any thing worth while;
 
"...If you think you love art, and want to be an artist, then you must just follow your heart.  And you must just keep making art. No matter how hard it is sometimes, and no matter how much sometimes you feel like giving up, or like what you are making isn't really worth it. It is. It really matters."

Never quit and always do your best,
Mr. M 

Note: This video qualifies as a 5 point maximum extra credit paper for your semester's final Science grade - that's a half a grade added to your final grade.  

However, it must meet the following criteria:  1500 word minimum (to 10,000 words maximum) to include a summary of the video and an exposition that discusses a topic of your choice mentioned in the video.  Make sure it is copy edited, spell checked and set-up in a word document.  

Should you elect to take this challenge, your essay on this post ought to be fun, and rewarding for you.  If you take any other approach to it, or if it ceases to be fun, then you are doing something wrong.